Internal rift in Congress Cabinet over BC quota issue in local body polls

A rift has surfaced within the Telangana Congress Cabinet over the timing of local body elections, with some Ministers urging delay until the High Court rules on BC reservation limits. While CM Revanth Reddy is keen to proceed under the existing quota, others fear backlash from the AICC and the public.

Hyderabad: A clear divide has emerged within the Congress Cabinet over the timing of the local body elections, with several Ministers urging caution against rushing the process before the High Court’s next hearing on the issue of BC reservations even as Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is said to be keen on expediting the polls.

According to party insiders, some BC Ministers and senior Congress leaders are pressing for a wait-and-watch approach. They argue that going ahead under the existing quota system could invite criticism from the party’s own leadership, citing reports that AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge was upset with the government’s functioning in Telangana, especially its failure to implement its poll promise of 42 per cent BC reservation in local body elections.

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The internal differences are expected to surface at Thursday’s Cabinet meeting at the State Secretariat, which is expected to discuss crucial issues including the BC reservations, conduct of local body elections and other administrative matters.

According to sources, the Cabinet will deliberate on whether to conduct elections under the existing reservation system or pursue the proposed 42 per cent quota for BCs. A committee of legal experts, constituted earlier by the State government, has submitted its recommendations, which will reportedly be tabled before the Cabinet on Thursday for discussion.

With the High Court directive restricting total reservations to 50 per cent, the Chief Minister is likely to suggest conducting elections under the old quota pattern while challenging other political parties to ensure 42 percent BC representation in ticket allotment, a political move that Revanth Reddy is said to have had in mind earlier.

However, those favouring a delay, at least till the next High Court hearing in December, maintain that proceeding now could undermine the party’s credibility and invite further criticism from the AICC leadership.

They are also apprehensive about the situation on the ground, where the public mood is clearly not so much in favour of the Congress. The government is, therefore, unlikely to take a final call on the elections until the Jubilee Hills bypoll concludes next month.

The Cabinet is also expected to clear an ordinance lifting the two-child norm for local body candidates, on which it had decided in the previous Cabinet meeting, and review major irrigation projects, including resumption of Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) works, naming of Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP) Phase-2 after former Minister Ramreddy Damodar Reddy, and repair works at the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project’s barrages. Several other administrative and development proposals are also likely to come up for discussion.